Health

Hospital Admissions For Transgender People Totalling Over Rs 1 Cr Approved: MoS Health S P Singh Baghel

All transgender persons affected by HIV/AIDS are provided free-of-cost anti-retroviral therapy (ART) at ART centres and additional support

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The transgender community is provided healthcare benefits under the SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) framework launched by the MoSJE

New Delhi: A total of 761 hospital admissions amounting to Rs 1.12 crore had been authorised under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY) for transgender beneficiaries till November 30, Minister of State for Health S P Singh Baghel told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday (December 05). Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the National Health Authority (NHA) and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) to extend the benefits of the PM-JAY to all transgender people, he said in a written reply.

According to the MoU, the transgender community is provided healthcare benefits under the SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) framework launched by the MoSJE.

Any member of the transgender community registered on the national portal for transgender persons is eligible for free healthcare facilities at any PM-JAY empanelled hospital, the Minister stated.

The government is implementing the National AIDS Control Programme, currently in its fifth phase, across the country. The transgender community is considered among the High-Risk Group (HRG) for acquisition of HIV infection, he said HIV testing and care are provided to them predominantly through targeted intervention projects and the Link Worker Scheme is implemented through State AIDS Control Societies with the objective of reducing new HIV infections, he added.

Also Read: Medical Board, Counselling For Sex Reassignment Surgery For Transgender Persons: NHRC’s Recommendation To Centre, States

Additionally, all transgender persons affected by HIV/AIDS are provided free-of-cost anti-retroviral therapy (ART) at ART centres and additional support services through care and support centres in a stigma-free and inclusive manner as per standards of care.

The government is implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) across the country.

Mental health services are part of the package under comprehensive primary healthcare under the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWC) Scheme.

PM-JAY provides treatment corresponding to a total of 1,949 procedures under 27 different specialities, of which 19 procedures are related to “mental disorders” speciality.

The National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP) has been launched to improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country. Eligible individuals, including those from the transgender community, are entitled to free healthcare services under the schemes, he said.

Also Read: Special Drive In Delhi To Add Transgenders, Sex Workers, Homeless Women In Voters’ List

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which in its Season 10 is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ populationindigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In a world post COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (WaterSanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental well-being, self-care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollutionwaste managementplastic banmanual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India. 

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